A proposed sales tax increase for the city of San Diego was going nowhere just two weeks ago, but the tragic choking death of a 2-year-old boy has given city leaders a newfound sense of urgency and possibly enough support to put the proposal on the November ballot.

The City Council will decide Tuesday whether to ask voters if they want a half-cent sales-tax increase that would raise an estimated $103 million annually and erase a budget deficit that forced the city to cut many basic services, most notably the decision for “brownouts” that idle up to eight fire engines a day to save on overtime.

Bentley Do choked on a gum ball and died Tuesday night. City paramedics didn’t arrive at his Mira Mesa home until 9½ minutes after receiving the 911 call. Authorities said the delay in response was due to the city’s brownout plan although it’s impossible to know whether Bentley would have survived had paramedics arrived sooner.

While the boy’s death has brought renewed focus on firefighter and paramedic response times, it remains to be seen whether there are enough votes on the eight-member council — six are required — to place the sales-tax measure on the ballot.

The council’s two Republicans — Carl DeMaio and Kevin Faulconer — are steadfastly against a tax increase and won’t support the ballot measure. They say the city must try to save money elsewhere before raising taxes. That means all six Democrats on the council need to support the measure if it is to appear on the ballot.

City Hall insiders say the swing vote will likely be Councilwoman Sherri Lightner, a low-key politician who shies from the spotlight. Lightner didn’t respond to a request for an interview, but sources said she is undecided on the issue.

Councilwoman Marti Emerald, who tried unsuccessfully to restore cuts to fire service during recent budget deliberations, is one of the most ardent supporters of a tax increase.

“It’s not a slam-dunk by any means,” she said of the council vote. “We’ve got a lot of differing opinions on the matter.”

Emerald said Bentley’s death has many people re-evaluating their stance on a tax increase.

“It illustrates the problems we face,” she said. “Engine companies had so many calls as is, now they’re just scrambling.”

Councilman Tony Young went a step further Thursday, calling on Mayor Jerry Sanders to immediately restore cuts to the fire department by tapping reserves or slashing other areas of the city’s budget.